Improvement in bed-seats for invalids



y GEORGE H. WATERHOUSE.

Improvement in Bed-Seats for lnvalids.

N0. 126,599. Patented May 7,1872.

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UNITED STATES PATENT QFFICE.

GEORGE E. TVATERHOUSE, OF EAST SAUGUS, MASSACHUSETTS.

IMPROVEMENT IN BED-SEATS FOR INVALIDS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 126,599, dated May 7, 1872.

hereby declare that the following, taken in connection with the drawing which accompanies and forms part of this specification, is a description of my invention sufiicient to enable those skilled in the art to practice it.

Invalids and convalescents who are confined to the bed, but yet are able to sit up in bed more or less, or to recline in a partially-raised condition, are often troubled by the impossibility of thus reposin g without continually slipping forward, the feet not reaching the foot-board and there being nothing against which to brace the feet. My object has been to devise a back-rest, in connection with which there should be provision for sustaining the body in a sitting or reclining position without liability to slip. To effect this result I first make a suitable backrframe for supporting the back, (preferably arranging said frame so that it may be adjusted as to vertical inclination,) and connect to the bottom of this frame a retainer-frame, which is made open, or as a half loop or half ring, this open frame being placed in position on the bed for the person to sit directly upon the frame, with the back resting and supported against the filling of the back-frame, and, this frame being set at a comfortable angle for support of the back, the ring or frame will retain the hips, and thereby the whole body, in sitting or reclining posture. It is this construction that constitutes my invention.

The drawing shows at A and B, in perspective elevation and in side view, respectively, a device embodying my invention.

a denotes a horizontal bar, having hinged to it two upright bars, 12 0, connected at top by a cross-bar, d, the bars b c d constituting a back-frame, across which is extended a canvas or other filling. This frame is made with provision for setting it at any required angle by means of a slide or runner, e, (sliding on a tail-piece, f, extending rearward from the bar a,) a rack-bar, g, and a pawl, h, pivoted to a slide, 2', the slide being connected to the frame by rods k or other suitable means. At the front of the bar a is hinged the retainer-frame I, said frame being made in the form of a half ring, or a bar of semicircular shape, hinged at m m, so that it will maintain a horizontal position at whatever angle the back-frame may be placed. In section the bar l is made convex, as seen at C, so that it makes a projecting surface, against which the hips can press without slipping over it.

When a weak or sick person is raised up in bed and sits in the frame I, with the back against the back-frame, the frame 1, without being in the least uncomfortable, affords a sure means for enabling the person to retain such position, adding very much to the comfort of an invalid and making it very much easier to take care of a sick person who is convalescent or able to sit up in bed.

The tail-piece may be made with provision for fastening it to the head-board; but this I deem unnecessary, as there is but little danger of undue movement of the back-frame when the parts are connected and operated as shown.

I claim- In combination with the back-frame or backsupport, the frame I, substantially as shown and described.

GEORGE E. WATERHOUSE.

Witnesses:

FRANCIS GOULD, M. W. FRorHINGHAn, 

